IMPORTANT: Sodium azide forms explosive compounds with heavy metals. These products contain <0.05% (w/w) azide which with repeated contact with lead and copper commonly found in plumbing drains may result in the buildup of shock sensitive compounds. Dispose in accordance with regulations from your institute.

APPLICATION: Optimal antibody pair and antigen standard for assaying human MMP-3/Stomelysin-1. To be used in conjunction with the AimPlex NR Basic Kit (PN: P100001) and a diluent kit. Refer to the AimPlex Multiplex Immunoassay User Manual and kit inserts for the assay procedure.

Proteins of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family are involved in the breakdown of extracellular matrix and during tissue remodeling in normal physiological processes, such as embryonic development and reproduction, as well as in disease processes, such as arthritis, and tumor metastasis. The enzyme is thought to be involved in wound repair, progression of atherosclerosis, and tumor initiation. Nuclear MMP-3 functions as a transcription factor and a proteinase. MMPs play a central role in cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and host defenses. Dysregulation of MMPs has been implicated in many diseases including arthritis, chronic ulcers, encephalomyelitis and cancer. Tumor metastasis is a multistep process involving the dissemination of tumor cells from the primary tumor to secondarys at a distant organ or tissue. One of the first steps in metastasis is the degradation of the basement membrane, a process in which MMPs have been implicated. MMPs are secreted by tumor cells themselves or by surrounding stromal cells stimulated by the nearby tumor. Numerous studies have linked altered MMP expression in different human cancers with poor disease prognosis. Diseases associated with MMP-3 include coronary heart disease 6 and rheumatoid lung disease.